Armidale

Select Society

In 2019 ADFAS Armidale provides for its members and guests a program of ten illustrated lectures given by overseas and Australian lecturers chosen for their communication skills and expert knowledge in their fields.

Programme for 2019

Wednesday 6th February 2019 (Michael Hoskins Centre, TAS)

Trisha DIXON (Australian Lecturer)

Adagio: Living and Gardening Mindfully – Edna Walling’s Legacy

Trisha Dixon is a writer and a photographer with a passion for landscape, literature, music, art and history. Adagio is a meditative look at living an environmentally attuned life, reflecting her wide-ranging interests in philosophy, music, art, photography, nature, and the environment. Adagio is a charming treatise on slow gardening and the importance of slowing down and enjoying life. At the same time, it has an environmental message regarding living ethically and sustainably.

Thursday 7th March 2019 (Memorial Hall, TAS)

Jacqueline COCKBURN (UK Arts Society Lecturer)

Van Gogh and Gauguin; two of our favourite artists

This lecture will show the development of the career of both artists until their final cohabitation in 1888 in Arles. It will chart their time together and consider events which follow. It will compare several works and explore letters and diaries to shed meaning on their shared experience and turbulent natures.

Wednesday 10th April 2019 (Michael Hoskins Centre, TAS

Sophie MASSON (Australian Lecturer)

Writing for children and young adults and publishing in Australia.

Sophie Masson is the acclaimed internationally-published author of more than 60 books for children, young adults and adults. She has won the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards (for The Hunt for Ned Kelly) and the Young Adult category in the Aurealis Awards(for The Hand of Glory).

Thursday 9th May 2019 (Michael Hoskins Centre, TAS)

Bernard ALLAN (UK Arts Society Lecturer)

From Paris to New York The Story of American Impression

Bernard Allan spent several years teaching art history for the WEA (adult education) and is now an independent art history tutor.

Only one American, Mary Cassatt, exhibited with the Impressionist group in Paris but by the mid-1880s American Impressionism had become an important art form in the U.S., inspired by, but not imitating the French prototype. Impressionism remained popular with American artists until the 1920s, although by the early 20th century the style had been supplanted in status by the new urban realists.

Pamela has been working as an archaeologist on numerous projects in Jordan over the past 40 years, often based there for years at a time. She is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor in Archaeology at the University of New England in Armidale.

Archaeologists investigate the material remains of human culture in order to understand the evolving human story. An account of Pam’s experience working at the source of this pottery, the Roman city of Jerash and other major sites in Jordan, particularly Pella, is woven into the presentation of the significance and interpretative value of these fragmentary images. They provide glimpses into a society undergoing major religious and political developments which still influence us today.

Thursday 11th July 2019 (UNE Arts Theatre)

David ROSIER (UK Arts Society Lecturer)

The Ultimate Renaissance Ruler – Emperor Qianlong (1735-1796)

David Rosier has in excess of 25 years of experience working and living in East Asia. Whilst living in Hong Kong (1991-2004) he assembled a collection of approximately 700 predominantly Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Imperial and related textiles/costume and dress accessories. Qianlong was arguably one of the greatest of all the Chinese Emperors guiding China through a period of unquestionable political, economic and cultural prosperity which rivalled previous periods of high achievement in Chinese history.

Emperor Qianlong – Emperor in Full Ceremonial Uniform 1738

15th August 2019 (Michael Hoskins Centre, TAS)

Andrew PRINCE (UK Arts Society Lecturer)

Downton to Gatsby – Jewellery & Fashion 1890-1928

For the series Downton Abbey, Andrew was commissioned to produce many jewels for the main characters, and this inspired him to create a talk based on Downton and the changing styles of the time portrayed. Jewellery and Fashion are often seen as two entirely separate and distinct fields of design, but this is very far from the case. In his talk Andrew guides you through the extraordinary periods and events between 1890 and 1929, where the great fashion houses collaborated with the finest of jewellers to produce works of art of outstanding quality and glittering opulence.

Thursday 12th September 2018 (Michael Hoskins Centre, TAS)

Colin DAVIES (UK Arts Society Lecturer)

Living without architecture – the story of the prefabricated home

Colin Davies is an architect, a former editor of The Architects’ Journal and a regular contributor to architectural magazines world-wide. He was until recently Professor of Architectural Theory at London Metropolitan University.

There was a time in the early twentieth century when a group of progressive architects dreamt of changing the world by revolutionising the ordinary house. They produced many theoretical designs and built many prototypes, but none ever went into production. Meanwhile, house builders in America, Japan, Australia and Northern Europe got on with the job of industrialising house production without involving architects. The world is full of interesting factory-made houses, but they don’t get into the history books because they don’t count as architecture.

Thursday 10th October 2019 (Michael Hoskins Centre, TAS)

Anthony RUSSELL (UK Arts Society Lecturer)

Blenheim Palace – the Agony and the Ecstasy

Anthony Russell is a cultural historian, writer and artist. He has travelled much of the world combining painting with tour lecturing. He spent six years as a consultant for Luke Hughes advising on the furniture needs of prestigious buildings throughout Britain, including museums, palaces, schools and cathedrals.

Possibly the most admired historic English building outside London, Blenheim Palace is an uncompromising World Heritage monument to English military ambition and one family’s self-importance. The story of its construction is a fascinating catalogue of excess and outrage, while the result is both monstrous and utterly sublime. This lecture explores the themes and the characters involved, marvelling at the genius of Vanbrugh and considering the real impact the palace has left on the nation.

13th November 2019 (Michael Hoskins Centre, TAS)

Philip Bailey (Australian Lecturer)

Yehudi Menuhin: Prodigy and Phenomenon

Philip Bailey was eight when he first heard Yehudi and Hephzibah Menuhin give a recital in Sydney Town Hall. Transfixed by the musicians and their art, Philip became a devoted Menuhin fan. After a series of chance encounters he joined the Menuhin staff. He assumed the role of Yehudi’s personal assistant, a job that was to last two decades. It is this long and close association that has given Philip unique insights into the life of this remarkable musician and his family.

The presentation traces the chronology of a remarkable career in performance and the events and the characters helping to shape a life dedicated to the pursuit of utopian perfection in the art of music. The demands on individuals who strive to reach the highest levels of performance are explained with the help of backstage anecdotes.

The 2019 AGM of ADFAS Armidale Inc. will be held at 5.30 pm prior to the November 13th Lecture.

Venue and Time of Lectures

In 2019 the February, April, June and November lectures will be held on a Wednesday evening in the Michael Hoskins Centre, The Armidale School (TAS), entry from Chapel Street, Armidale.

Our May, August, September and October lectures will be held on a Thursday evening in the Michael Hoskins Centre, The Armidale School (TAS), entry from Chapel Street, Armidale.

The March lecture will be held on a Thursday evening in the Memorial Hall, entry from Douglas Street, The Armidale School.The July lecture will be held on a Thursday evening in the UNE Arts Theatre.A light supper is provided after each lecture. All lectures will commence at 6.00pm. Please arrive in time to get name badges, raffle tickets, arrange for your guests’ tickets and be seated before 6.00pm.TAS provides ADFAS Armidale the use of the TAS Michael Hoskins Centre or the TAS Memorial Hall as a venue for lectures and technical support as well.

Guests

Guests are most welcome and a $25 fee applies per lecture.Full Time Students (over 18 years of age) $5 per lecture.Secondary Students (in uniform) FreeThere is no fee for visiting ADFAS members.Gift Vouchers are available for Guest Tickets.

Membership

The annual membership subscription is $130Gift Vouchers are available for membership subscriptions.